RAGBRAI! - long

[RoadRaven]

What a great narrative, Mom...

You really have a way with words, and although a several day organised event is not something I have had in my goals, your story makes me think I should reconsider!

Its the one-liners you write so well:

Fireman's breakfasts are good, but they can be over-large. Discretion is advised.

My smile muscles stopped hurting after the second day. I really should have worked on those more.

My stubborn just kicked in, and I kept winching myself up the hills.

I just have one question...
Some sell things, and others give away wine and venison.
Really? Wine? In bike bottles perhaps? Topups instead of water? And is the venison cooked or do people have deer strapped to their handlebars? Sorry, but my mind is thinking up all sorts of weird images!

It sounds like a fab few days. Thank you so much for writing it so well

[Hammer]

I've often wondered about RAGBRAI, though after talking with a few people that have done it, it seems almost impossible to do it without first being a part of a large group doing RAGBRAI and having a place to camp set up in each town.

I tried the Tour de Kota this year, there's only maybe 3-400 week long riders. There's space for everyone in the campground without having someone come along as designated support/tent setter-upper. Plus there weren't bad lines for the showers, food, toilets.

How are the logistics on RAGBRAI really? What did you do?

Thanks!!

Melissa

[MomOnBike]

Thanks for the good words, guys. I'll try to answer the questions, more or less in order.

Yep, Denver, Iowa. It was a pass-through town on the 5th day, about 18 miles from Cedar Falls. As I recall, it called itself the ""Mile-Wide" town. (As opposed to the more famous Mile-High City of Denver, Colorado)

Thanks for the good words, Road Raven. I enjoyed writing it up. Yes, it was offically a wine tasting, so we didn't get very much, but it was very good wine. Or I think it was good, I'm not sure I was much of a judge at that point. The venison was meat the guy had in his freezer - probably deer that had feasted on his corn fields. He cut it up in small chunks, rolled it in seasoned flour and deep fried it. Corn-fed venison is pretty darn tasty.

Hammer, you can do RAGBRAI on your own, and many people do, but it really is easier to use a charter company. We went with Pork Belly Ventures. (Drat! their website doesn't seem to be responding, but they should Google up nicely.) They really helped during the week. They scouted out campsites, had evening events, including a concert by The Elders, had mechanics available in the evenings, and just generally made life easier. We didn't go with the option, but they have a tent service, where you can rent a tent and they'll set it up and throw your duffel inside. They also do your laundry in the middle of the week. We're glad we spent the extra money.

Other people rent/own a bus/RV/whatever, and have someone drive support for them. We met a Dad who had been conned by his son into driving support. As far as I could tell from him, support drivers have a bunch of fun, too. At any rate, he was a great dinner conversationalist.

As for lines, well, lines happen, especially with 10 thousand or so people needing the same thing at more-or-less the same time. They aren't all bad, some of the more interesting conversations I had were in lines waiting for toilets. Pork Belly has a device they call a Shower Thingy which is basically a table with shower heads on hoses attached. You haven't LIVED until you strip down to pants and bra and take a cold, open-air shower with a bunch of men you don't know. More (ahem) civilized showers, with towel rental, were also available. I kind of preferred the Shower Thingy. DH definately did.

[RolliePollie]

I already REALLY wanted to do this ride, but now I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to do it! Sounds just amazing. What a great experience! MomOnBike - what a wonderful ride report...thank for sharing!!!

How was the weather? I would be very worried about the humidity since it's quite dry where I live. We do get the heat, but dry heat is so much different than humid heat. That's the one thing that would be most likely to scare me away from RAGBRAI!

[RoadRaven]

The venison was meat the guy had in his freezer - probably deer that had feasted on his corn fields. He cut it up in small chunks, rolled it in seasoned flour and deep fried it. Corn-fed venison is pretty darn tasty.

OK... now I'm hungry - we have a leg of wild venison in the fridge - but I don't think I can get it sorted for breakfast before i leave for work

They also do your laundry in the middle of the week. We're glad we spent the extra money.

Most excellent idea - I would have spent the extra too.

Pork Belly has a device they call a Shower Thingy which is basically a table with shower heads on hoses attached. You haven't LIVED until you strip down to pants and bra and take a cold, open-air shower with a bunch of men you don't know. More (ahem) civilized showers, with towel rental, were also available. I kind of preferred the Shower Thingy. DH definately did.

OK... this is brave and sensible... think I would rise to the challenge of a shower thingy too!

[MomOnBike]

Yes, there was heat and humidity. BUT if I can handle it, anybody on earth can. I just don't like the feeling of wet skin, it feels dirty to me. I almost let the humidity scare me away, but I'm glad I didn't.

There are lots of other things to think about, and kids on the side of the road to hose you down, and water to drink, so the humidity is just kind of there. It's best not to go into air conditioned places, your body forgets that it has adapted to outside conditions far too quickly.

Staying hydrated is a challenge, though. I had a hard time drinking enough.

[annie]

MomOnBike.

So glad you enjoyed RAGBRAI!! It is an awesome experience, isn't it? Hard to explain to anyone who has not done it, but you did a great job, writing about your experience! Just a warning -------- it is addictive! Very addictive. If you loved it, you'll want to come back, year after year. I've been on 21 now - I think. I know it's over 20. Just can't remember exactly how many. Easier for me than some, since I live in IA. Again, I am very happy you enjoyed your visit to IA. Hope you come back again. And bring friends!

Annie